Since the compilation of the NVIS (2001) dataset, the NVIS database has been redesigned to improve its efficiency. Major changes were made in tables dealing with map units and vegetation descriptions, to reduce duplication and excessive redundancy. Appendix I documents attributes deleted or scheduled for deletion as part of the restructure process.

Subsequent to the restructuring of the NVIS database, an XML-based data transfer protocol has been piloted. This included a set of rules to improve the consistency of content and to generate higher levels in the NVIS Information Hierarchy. A review of the consistency of content in the NVIS (2001) database was also done. These processes provided recommendations for improvements to definitions and look-up tables. Please see the documentation on each attribute in Section 3, for these changes. When the XML-transfer standard and rules have been finalised, these will be published in a subsequent edition of these Attributes.

Other changes from Version 5.0 to 6.0 include:

Writing a document overview and re-writing the Introduction to make the purpose of the document clearer;

Changes to the allowable growth form codes and the treatment of minor growth forms in the description of structural formations (Table 4);

Improved discussion of structural and floristic attributes.

Changes to the "Requirements" description of each attribute;

The inclusion of rules to check the quality of data and generate levels of the NVIS Information Hierarchy.

Addition of the hat "^" and double hat "^^" terminology.

The allowable values for many attributes were changed from a mixture of cases to all lower-case;

Removal of "classified" and "missing" as options in many attributes;

Changes to the formatting of Section 3 to make it easier to find particular attributes;

Combining the Map_Source and Mapping Method tables into the Mapping_Source table to streamline the documentation of primary sources.

The addition of several attributes found to be useful by the Commonwealth in the compilation of the NVIS (2000) database;

Clarification of some attribute names;

Changed field lengths to a few standard lengths, to simplify program declarations.